Australia are looking forward to the "exciting challenge" of attempting to halt 'Bazball' in its tracks next summer when they travel to England to defend the Ashes.
Australia have held the iconic urn since regaining it in the 2013-14 series, whitewashing England 5-0. However, they have not won an Ashes series in England since 2001, losing four in a row before drawing 2-2 in 2019 to retain the urn they already held.
Pat Cummins' side would have been feeling incredibly confident about their chances after thrashing England 4-0 in the most recent series, but England are a completely different side now under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
Playing a new positive and aggressive style of cricket that has been dubbed 'Bazball' after McCullum's nickname, England have won nine of their last ten Tests and done so in great style as well.
They chased down three consecutive scores of 250+ to beat New Zealand, recorded their highest-ever successful chase to beat New Zealand and then became the only side to have ever whitewashed Pakistan in Pakistan.
Australia's stars, though, have been quick to question 'Bazball', with Steve Smith saying it is "good fun to joke about". However, Daniel Vettori, a long-time teammate of McCullum with New Zealand and Australia's current assistant coach, has been impressed by England's new approach.
"That's Brendon's nature, there is positivity in everything he does," Vettori said before insisting Australia are "excited" by the unique threat it poses. "They are going to give it a go, it looks like," he continued.
"I think that is what everyone is excited about… that aggressive nature versus an exceptional [Australian] bowling attack. They did it against South Africa and we have all acknowledged South Africa are an exceptional bowling attack. It is such an exciting challenge for this bowling unit.
"The key [against England] is to still have the ability to play your own style of cricket. England put so much pressure on you through their scoring rate. The hardest thing to do is to sit back and say 'These guys are playing really well. We've got to give them respect and we can't just keep going harder and harder'.
"I still think you have got to be true to yourself. That is what England are trying to do. They are trying to play an authentic brand of cricket they want to instil in their players."
